randyc

Pretty much. The wheels, the hood scoop, the grill. Other than that, they are very similar if not touching.

I realized you might not have been talking to me and tried to delete it. Lol. Sorry.

My FM was very cheap, like $12 because it was missing the front bumper. But that seemed like such a common mood when I was growing up, that I have kept it like that on my model. I don't think I've ever built that generation of Vette with a front bumper. Nice ride.

Chassis details are quite different. The M2 has a diecast baseplate so the weights are similar between the two. The FM had metal base and details are separate parts. The FM and has working suspension. I also included a shot of my plastic 350R for comparison. The wheels are similar but the FM has more paint detailing. Both have nice details. The monogram has Torque Thrusts and big and little tires. The FM has Goodyear's with sidewall details, where the M2 makes do with no names. Let's look at the details of ride height and rear quarter shapes. The M2 sells to droop just a bit, compared to the others. And ride height is more aggressive on the FM and Monogram. The rears stands a bit taller. You can see the taillights are a bit different on each. The grilles are also different. FM used a photoetched grill with detail behind. M2 is a solid engraved piece, as is the Monogram. However, the headlight win goes to M2 for better lenses. FM has separate parking lights. Colors:. The whites seem very similar, but the blue stripes are different. The FM has a darker color than the M2. I would suspect that the FM might be slightly more accurate from photos of real cars. I really like all 3 cars. If you want to build and detail, the Monogram is your choice. If you want a cheaper version and can do your own detailing, M2 makes a fine piece. The FM has its own merits. Can't really go wrong with either one, especially on the shelf when you aren't holding it or looking at it up really close. But even then the M2 has some details that the FM doesn't. Pick the one you find at the price you like and enjoy the heck out of it.

Next up is The under parts. See the engines and engine bays. The M2 has white paint on the underside of the hood where the FM is black. You can decide on which engine compartment is acceptable. Both diecasts have plug wires, but the FM goes the extra mile with fuel lines, battery cables, nicely detailed oil filter. Generally sharper details. And you can see the box stock monogram engine bay as well. Trunks are also vastly different. The M2 does include a battery in the black plastic trunk. FM has the mat, battery with cables, and the jack.

Let's start looking at details. You can see the hood scoop shape on all 3. Slightly different. All in all, the plastic kit has the most detail on the body. It is sharper in all respects. But on the diecasts, the FM hood scoop has a tiny opening that needs to be opened up. The M2 is better. But the FM is booked as "fiberglass". Plastic or not, the FM his opens the farthest and has less obtrusive hinges than the M2. Neither sits perfectly on my examples. Check out the doors. The M2 has an internal hinge; the FM has old style dog legs. M2 has the optional door mirror. No mirror on the FM, which is correct as built by Shelby. Panels are similar in pattern, but FM has more chrome trim detailed. FM also has interior C pillar detail where the M2 has none. FM has seat belts and trim on the buckets. M2 provides the parts, but not much detail painting. You could disassemble and add these details. FM has photoetched sill plates where the M2 has none.

I'll break this into parts probably. Here we have 3 different GT350s. Two are diecast, the main focus, and one is the Monogram GT350R. The diecasts are the M2 and the Franklin Mint. I bought both on eBay. About $20 delivered for the M2 and $33 for the FM. Neither came with their boxes or any paperwork. Right up front, you can see that each had a different dashboard shape, but are mostly similar in overall shape. Can you see $100 difference in original price yet?

I have the red FM regular issue with stock hubcaps. Had a silver one but someone made too good an offer.... Hmmm anyone we know? Lol. I have no real passion for the 63 but still find myself looking at them from time to time when they start cheap.

Here's a Maverick I modified as tribute to the first family car my wife drove. Yard sale find, it was black. Added a set of Johan wheels and painted. But I do love that Comet!

That should make it Motormax? I have the Vega from that line.

Snake: Great list! Good luck wiith that 63! If anyone can make something happen with that car, it's you. And the Federated GTO I want to see - I have looked at them but just not sre enough about them.

Oh I like that G80! Nice big sedan ride. My kinda car. Back to the subject at hand...

And in my case, I would have absolutely NO interest in kits you mentioned. I would love a model of a new Lincoln MKC, MKZ, MKX or whatever they are calling them now though. Cadillacs - besides the Escalade. I'm only interested in the Santa Fe because my wife wants one. I did find an 07 Ford Edge 1/43 diecast that I dismantled and painted to match my real one, but it came from UK. I have diecasts of the Maserati and Lambo SUVs for sale on ebay and seems like buyers are staying away from them in droves. Not sure they would sell as kits either. IDK anymore what would sell though. Last kits I've built are Lancia Stratos Stradale (for a friend), 59 Ford (Revell) that I hope to get back to come spring. too cold in my building, plus I've been selling a diecast collection and that has taken my modeling time. I liked the Lancia, but not sure I would have bought it myself. I did do a Muira last year in amongst the bunch of stuff I built. I guess the mfrs arent' willing to take a chance and fail with kits of modern things. Not sure why they would even decide to do the Santa Fe really.

Yeah me too now. When Walgreens bought them out, they closed our Rite Aid. Just when I was getting the hang of making a stop regularly.

Gotta love when sellers try to pass off bad cars as something "special". And it might work with buyers that haven't done their homework. Looking forward to seeing more of your recent bounty.

That CP car is rarer that the mint cars. I watch them when I see them but haven't found the one I want at the right moment. There is a convertible CP too, I believe.

Shhhh don't tell him about that.

I know about you and the green 69 - You will know if I find one , well I'll let you know if it's above my threshold... lol I do like my red one pretty good though. Might not need a green one.

I bought that 73 F100 with no photo at all. but the price was good and it was as described with box and all. And it was cheap enough - like $26 delivered and I couldn't find on one ebay for that. Good luck with the mystery Ferrari. I wish I could find a reasonably priced 65 Corvette... A lot of times, the hunt is the best part.

Dang I was going to recommend the Wix diecast for the 57 Thunbderbird, but it's a 56. I'm not smart enough to know the differences in 55 - 57 Thunderbirds. And yep on the other thunderbirds.

What diecast are you watching that you might seriously consider? What might you just be looking at? Right now, I have: Maisto 66 Lincoln; DM 55 Chevies - yellow/white; Lincoln Mint GTO; FM 41 Lincoln (white); those are things that are still possible. I have others that have gone out of my reach. How much do you watch for real buying and how many you watch to see how much they sell for? Is this even a good idea for a thread? Or do we end up sniping each other? lol. Are you after a particular car, or just looking at things that might be interesting to have? My budget is pretty cheap - under $50 incl shipping usually, but I have several that were more and I am willing to pay a bit more for complete with boxes and all now. Especially if it is a car that is susceptible to damage in shipping. I do manage to get some mangy mutts at my price point, but I don't mind a session of detailing. I look at photos to see if everything is there or if I can replace what isn't. Mirrors and antennae aren't too important to me. Same with wipers. I can live without those if the price is cheap enough. Broken cars if I think I can fix. I have some nice pieces I paid $10 for and fixed or cleaned. I'll buy small collections if I think I sell the ones I don't want. And usually can cover the entire inital cost, so I get a car for free. I bought a 43 car collection and doubled my money in a month and kept a few cars. Just something to give us something to gab about...

I've been working on cleaning some, but that just doesn't show up well enough for a progress thread. Found my old Brookfield Chrysler New yorker (1998ish?) - was hoping it would look better, but the years have not been kind to it. Can't wait to see some new Snake Fu projects. Always inspiring.

Well, ok. If that's the case, then I would understand a color change. Molded plastic does look kinda chintzy sometimes. When I build those from a kit, I paint the body and interior all one color, then gloss/satin/flat everything according to what it needs. And that one really wouldn't look bad with a black interior if you get various textures going on.

Auto World and M2s are my favorite 1/64s. Looks like you have a lot of choices. Watch that Rite-aid rack. Lot of folks here find good stuff in that rack when they restock it. And then what's left hangs around forever. That late model GTo is a nice car other than there is no brake detail. And make sure it has all it's windows in place - have seen a lot that are missing the side windows - I guess they get poked out? Keep hangin with us. We may be the cool kids. Or we may be the nerds. idk...